Weir’s well up for facing his old club

Jul 11 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

HE’S a St Johnstone legend but former skipper and coach Jim Weir goes up against his former club tomorrow for the first time.

Perth-based Weir, whose wife Susan works with the club’s commercial department, now bosses tomorrow’s opponents Montrose.

The clash on the Links Park all-weather surface is St Johnstone’s first public outing, with a 3pm kick-off.

In his rookie season as a manager Weir steered Montrose to the Third Division play-offs.

Now he and fellow ex-Saint Kevin McGowne are plotting another challenge.

Weir enjoyed a close-up view of the European Championships recently, as part of his demanding UEFA pro licence.

He said: “I was among a group which included guys like Owen Coyle, Alan Kernaghan, Craig Brewster, Ally McCoist, Ian Durrant and Davie Irons.

“I took in the Greece-Spain and Poland-Croatia matches. And we had a close look at the Russians training.

“It was all part of the programme – and more familiar than the computer work which is a big part of modern management.

“I think managers now have to be IT experts to handle the analysis, powerpoint presentations and game plans which are all fed into the computer!”

This week, his side lost 3-0 to Dundee and he’s eager to add three new players to his pool before the season kicks-off.

Yesterday Weir, pictured in his Perth heyday, said: “This won’t be about trying to put one over on Saints.

“It is about getting match fitness and hopefully a result and performance to boost confidence.

“Saints are a quality side and they have made some impressive signings over the summer.

“It was progress for Montrose to make the play-offs but I suspect my second season will be even tougher because fans are expecting a lot from us. I still need players – ideally a couple of strikers and a centre-half.”